Phimosis is a rather embarrassing condition that affects as many as 8 to 12% of uncircumcised men worldwide. It is the most common abnormality in the structure of the penis, which prevents the foreskin from being pulled back. It is not dangerous to health or life, but phimosis should certainly not be underestimated.
Phimosis is also considered a condition in which the foreskin can be pulled back into the retrogastric sac, but there is pain and pressure during erection. This is often accompanied by a too short frenulum, which often causes problems with retracting the foreskin, or contributes to bending the head of the penis down during erection.
Causes of phimosis
It used to be considered a congenital defect, but now it is known that it is usually acquired. This type of problem manifests itself in both infants and adults, and even in old people. The most common causes of phimosis include:
- Inadequate baby care,
- Inflammation – of the glans, foreskin or urethra,
- diabetes complications,
- Poor hygiene habits, improper hygiene.
What does it result in?
Unfortunately, phimosis cannot be ignored as it causes many unpleasant health complications. Many people suffering from this cannot lead a proper sex life because they feel pain every time they try to have intercourse (this makes it difficult to retract the foreskin). Forceful retraction of the foreskin may result in it getting trapped in the glans groove, which requires surgical intervention, as it may cause penile necrosis.
In the case of total phimosis, a man cannot maintain proper intimate hygiene because he does not remove the secretion under the foreskin (mast). This causes frequent inflammation of the urethra, prostate and the entire genitourinary tract. What’s more, partial or complete phimosis tends to increase, because as a result of attempts to pull the foreskin or erection, micro-cracks are formed, causing its opening to narrow more and more.
Of course, another problem is the mentality of a man who feels alienated and ashamed of his problem – especially when it comes to teenagers and young men. That is why it is important to treat this problem in childhood.
How to prevent phimosis in boys from an early age?
- The foreskin should not be retracted until the child is one year old. For the first few months, the ointment that sticks the foreskin together must wash out and dissolve on its own. The main hygiene procedures during this period are only daily bathing, washing the penis from the outside, as well as ensuring that the remnants of feces do not get into this area.
- After the first year, during the bath (every two or three months) we try to pull the foreskin off the boy. At the same time, be careful to do it very gently. If you manage to download it to the end, wash it thoroughly from the remains of the mascara.
- If the foreskin cannot be retracted by the age of 3, a visit to a urologist or pediatric surgeon is necessary. Only a doctor can try to remove it or suggest surgical treatment. Each of these procedures is performed under anesthesia. Occasionally, it is necessary to apply a steroid ointment, but this does not guarantee a complete cure.
- When inflammation occurs, regardless of the boy’s age, you should go to a urologist or surgeon. We will recognize it by the redness and swelling of the penis.